G U I D E
T O
RECYCLING
BUSINESS
Planters Lifesavers Company
Mike McClellan
It's tough to bea meteorologist and not be concerned - or knowledgeable - about environmental issues. NewsWatch 12's Chief Meteorologist, MikeMcClellan, has turned that concern into a weekly report. Thursdays on Newswatch12 at 6 p.m., tune in for Mike's Earthwatch segments.You'll learn the latest about environmental news and trends from around the Piedmont and the world. For the latest our on precious environment, there's only one source news for inthe Piedmont: Mike McClellan and NewsWatchl2.
To business leaders of the Piedmont:
Planters Lifesavers Co., WXII, a n d Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful are proud to provide with this Corporate you Recycling Guide. We believe it will inspire you, and make it a bit simpler to do your part for the environment. Each of our organizations has made commitment to a recycling and purchasing recycled goods whenever possible, for several reasons. For one, good business. Recycling it's makes economic sense. For another,it's necessary. If we don't conserve and reuseour resources now,we eventually will be faced with a dire situation. We think you will agree that's a scenario we want toavoid. Adopting a recycling program is not an easy proposition, In essence, you will be asking people to change habits they have had for years. At times, may seem easier to throw it everything inone bin, haul it and forget about it. off We think, however, we can no longer afford to forget and be careless about the resources use. The tideis turning we toward environmental concern.With some encouragement from the top, have found employees ready we and eager to participate andassist with our recycling programs. Please join us. Remember, the planet save will be your you own.
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Reach down below your desk and takea look at your trash can. That mess of paper and more paper and soda cans may notlook like much (after all, it’s garbage). But in fact, there’s money resting in that circular file. Money, and 01’ the remnants trees and energy. If you think twice about your trash, it makes of at sense to think about recycling the office. You may already doing it at home - and we think it’sjust as important to do be it in the workplace. Recycling and environmental concerns may like a fad seem but really, they’re reality of the new century that’s before us. We need to take a the initiativeand recycle now,before the mandatory rules and restrictions are imposed - and before we further deplete our natural resources. Here are justa few goodreasons why your company shouldstart a recycling program:
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Basically, recycling makes sense economically and environmentally. -
First things first: How much waste does your business generate, anyway?
Every day, every office generates pounds and poundsof waste: paper, cans, bottles, newspapers. It may not seem like a lot, but collectively,even a small business can generate a significant amount of garbage, and a significant & amount of @ can be recycled. Use this chartto figure out just how much trash you create:
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Total GarbageGeneration:
lbs. No. employees (a)
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Take a visual survey to determine your company's use of cans, bottles and newspapers. Is there a soda machine which dispenses cans plastic or glass or bottles? In company break areas, are the trash binsoverflowing with these at containers? How many newspapers arrive the office every day? A brief look at the day-to-day office use of these recyclable items can help you decide whether to begin program thatfocuses only on a office paper, or on these other materials, as well.
No matter whatyour company generates, your participation is important. We think this six-step program make the decision to recycle a bit easier. will
Designate a program coordinator
The program coordinator can make or break your recycling program. He or shemanagestheprogramandacts as liaisonamongmanagement, maintenance supervisors,employees and outside recyclables buyers. You might want to send out short survey to a your staff before you start your program to gauge the of interest in level recycling. Mostpeople will agree that it’s a good idea, and once they have done so, are more likely to participate. The survey may also helpyou recruit a program coordinator and monitors. The time required to coordinate the program will vary according to your organization’s size, building layout, and the serviceseither staff or outside that contractors will provide. In most cases, the program coordinator job can be handled by one person. Depending on the sizeof your company, a few monitors can help implement and sustain the program. The initial start-up the programwill require substantial time commitments of from your program coordinator. But once the program is in operation for a couple of weeks, time requirements tend to decrease and then stabilize.
Program coordinator responsibilities include:
As you can see from responsibilities, your coordinator doesn’t need the a degree in recycling. Organizational experience and good communication skills are of the utmost importance.So, too, is enthusiasm for the recycling effort.
Determine what you generate and decide what to recycle.
With a coordinator in place, now is the time to do a more specific analysis of how much waste your company generates and what kinds you plan to recycle. Recyclable waste will fall into several categories:
PAPER There are severaldifferent categories. Paper dealers will prefer that the different kinds be kept separate. This provides them with more a marketable material and assures you highest market price for your paper. If you mix high grades of paper with low grades, you’ll be paid the low grade price. Remember to remove paper clips, binders and rubber bands; staples are acceptable.
Computer paper (green and white, high grade) White ledger paper (high grade) Includes: white letterhead plain or bond copying paper typing and writing paper white computer paper white forms other dull finish white paper white manilla tab cards white notepad paper adding machine tape white envelopes (no cellophane windows)
Many companies are discontinuing of colored paper and using use all white paper which more marketable. is
File stock (low grade) kraft envelopes colored paper fax andtelex sheets other glossy papers file folders blueprints self-adhesive notes tissue paper Newspapers Magazines Phone books Cardboard Cardboard is generated in about every business, and can be easily broken down and stored. Must be free of contaminants such as food and grease.
GLASS Needs to be rinsed and separated by color. No need to remove labels. ALUMINUM AND BI-METAL CANS Do not need to be separated. PLASTICS Most businessesdonotgenerate a lot of post-consumer plastic waste. Milk jugs, drink bottles and plastic soft grocery shopping bags are the items in this category that recyclable. are PLASTICS (INDUSTRIAL) There are some typesindustrial plastic of waste that can be recycled, such as plastic shrink wrap. Recycling resources listed in this brochure can help you with identifying recyclables at your company.
Initially, you may want to limit your recycling efforts to paper, and later add cans, bottles or plastics. Companies have successfully implemented programs both in stages, and all at once. How you choose to do this depends on your individual situations and preferences. You may have some seemingly obscure wastes, chemicals, plastics, metals, textiles, etc., that you ordinarily send to the dumpsters. If so, take a look at the Southeast Waste Exchange, a quarterly listing of what companies are others are looking for.This industrial “trading post” getting ridof, and what can be reached through:
The Southeast Waste Exchange Urban Institute/UNCC Charlotte, NC 28223 704-547-2307
There is a fee to subscribe and to list materials.
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Contact local recycling or waste management companies
Now that you know what you’d liketo recycle and approximately how much of these goods you generate, you need to findan outside recycling company. will not. Some of the materials you will recycle will be paid for; others Remember that the price paid for recyclables fluctuates dramatically. Negotiate for the best price, but pay close attention to the kindof service you will receive. Sign a n agreement that details thefrequency and timeof pick-ups. If your business generates enough material, most recycling companies will supply large storage bins. Many dealers will help you organize and promote your program. And if you need confidential materials to bedestroyed, many dealers can provide for this service, as well.
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Design and enacta collection and storage process for recovered resources
By integrating your resource recovery collection with your normal trash collection system, you’ll minimizethe need forextrastoragespaceand containers. You’ll likely be able to maintain the same number of staff and expenses necessary for collection. Recovering recyclablematerials fromyour business’ waste stream reduce will the amount of waste youwould normally have collected fordisposal. If designed correctly,a high-grade office paper recycling program should add no more time to in-house collection operations. Think it this way: of Now custodial time will be allocated to saving company money, rather than to throwing your away valuable resources. How your business collects and stores recovered resources will depend on the its quantity of materials you generate and the pick-up schedule negotiate with you the buyer. Use the following steps as a guide to develop your collection and storage system:
Identify where yourrecyclables are generated and the amount generated at each location. Designate storage space. Your storage needs will be determined by the quantity of materials generated and the length of time between pick-ups. Seek help your the of maintenance or building supervisor to identify adequate storage space. You don’t need to have a specially designed room for storage - so be creative if space is not readily apparent. Determine where to place collection containers, how many and and what typeare needed. Individual desk-top containers are excellent for recoveringoffice paper. Use larger, centrally located containers to allow employees to empty their individual containers. Acquire collection containers. Purchase new or used containers ormodify existing containers. Finalize the in-house collection system. Meet with in-house cleaning staff to discuss responsibilities and answer questions. Items review are: service schedules for each to collection area, and who to callwith problems or questions.
Getting your employees to buy into the program
Promotion is the key to all successful recycling programs. Employees will participate if they are well informed about the program and benefits. We its recommend three separate steps for your promotion campaign: a kick-off memo, educational sessions and follow-up publicity. Sample memos to help you with promotion are included.
Kick-off Memo
Send out a kick-off memo announcing the start of the program. Make sure it is signed by the CEO or senior officer of the company. If it isn't, be sure to indicate his or her support to give the program additional credibility. In the memo, highlight benefits of the program and explain the separation and collection procedures. Also, include information on wherethe revenue fromthe program will go. Many companies donate a percentage of the revenue to a local charity and/or sponsor office parties or outings. Adapt the sample memo for your company.
Sample Kick-Off Memo
TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: All XYZ Company Employees Jane Doe, President February 1, 1991 Office Paper Recycling at XYZ COMPANY
Studies show that each office worker throws away an average of a half-pound of recyclable paper every day. That's equivalent to (X TONS) a year from our office alone. This means that over (X Trees) and (X Gallons of Oil) are needed each year to keep our office afloat in paper. To put this paper to better use, we're starting an office recycling program. By recycling, we'll lower our garbage disposal costs, earn revenue from the sale of our paper, and do our part to improve the environment. In addition, a portion of the revenue earned from our program will go to ABC Charity. Participation in this program will require only small changes in your daily habits. You will be given a desk-top container for storing white paper and computer paper. When your container is full, simply empty the contents into the central container nearest to your desk. The locations of the central containers will be:
to Please attend a short orientation session learn more about how the program works. Three 15-minute sessions have been scheduled for XXXXX. The sessions will start at XXX, YYY, and ZZZ. Your supervisor has a sign-up sheet.
Your participation in this program does make a difference. For every piece of paper you recycle, you will: Protect the environment and save natural resources Conserve scarce landfill space Raise money for our company and for ABC Charity.
. .
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If you have any questions about the program, please contact XXXXXXXXX x-000. at Thanks for your cooperation.
( X Tons) x ( X EMPLOYEES) x .5 Ibs. x 240 working days/yr./2,000 Ibs. ( X TREES) = 17 TREES x ( X TONS) of paper ( X GALLONS OF OIL) = 682.5 gallons of oil x ( X Tons) of paper
Educational sessions
Encourage all employees to attend a brief informational session about the program. The sessions can be incorporated into a regular staff meeting and the ‘do’s and don’ts,’as well as the benefits of the program, can thoroughly be explained. At this session, it’s helpful to provide a ‘how-to’ memo. Once your program is up and running, be sure to inform any employees about the recycling new program as part of their orientation.
Sample HOW-TO Memo Educational Sessions for
TO: FROM: FEBRUARY DATE: SUBJECT:
ALLCOMPANY XYZ EMPLOYEES JANE DOE, PRESIDENT 1,1991 Office Paper Recycling at XYZ Company
How the program works: You will be glven a desk-top container to go on or near your desk. When you’re through using any white paper or computer paper, simply put it into your container instead of the trash can. When your container is full, empty the contents into one of the central containers on your floor. Paper is much more valuable when it is separated by grade, so please put paper into the corresponding bins. All central containers will be clearly marked. Because we have a lifelong habit of throwing something away when we’re finished using it, it may take some time to remember not to throw recyclable paper into the trash can. You have to think about it at first, but in a very short time it will become just another one of those things you do instinctively. Please keep all colored paper, magazines, glossy paper, carbon paper, newspapers, soda cans, etc., out of the recycling containers. If you’re recycling an old report, please remove the covers, any colored paper, and plastic bindings. Metal staples and small paper clips do not need to be removed. Check the list on your desk-top container if you are not sure about what items are acceptable. If you are getting rid of a lot of old forms or files, let your program coordinator know ahead of time so that the waste paper dealer can be called to bring extra containers or to do extra pickups. If the central containers fill up before the scheduled pickup, try pushing the paper down. The container may just be full of a lot of air. If the container is definitely full, find a box to use for the overflow and ask the coordinator to call for a pickup.
Follow-up publicity
Reinforcing the new recycling habit is very important. Quantities recycled, revenue earned, disposal cost savings and any problems such as putting trash into the central containers or low participation rates can be highlighted in follow-up memos. Continual reminders help will maintain a successful program. We recommend that you distribute Recycling Updates every quarter.
Monitor the program and reinforce the newly developed recycling habit.
Unacceptable materials inevitably be collected in your recycling program will during the first several weeks. Some people will be confused about what's recyclable. Some won't recallwhat to do with their recyclables.
at the of Don't panic. These problems happen beginning nearly every recycling program, but are easily overcome.
During the first several weeks, the program coordinator must keep in close contact with the collection staff, program monitors, company management and the recyclables buyers. Responding quickly and appropriately to any 'bugs' in your system is critical to operatingan effective program. Make a n extra effort to minimize employee confusion by enthusiastically reminding employees whichmaterialsareandarenot acceptable for recycling. Thank them for their early support and participation. Get top management to applaud employees early in the program.
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